The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-20
GRANT IN PEACE.


BIZ GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.
" ritten for the Indianap polls Journal-Copyriehted
Grant and Mexico.
Grant always took peculiar interest in the
republic of Mexico. His experiences during the
Mexican war left lively impression with him,
and there was portion OF his Memoirs" IN
which he manifested keener interest than IN
the pages describing, not only the campaigns In
which he participated and the adventures that
befell himself, but the pecuiarities of the coun-
try the climate and the inhabitants of Mexico
I remember well the composition OF these chap
sers. and how was struck with tie clearness OF
mis- memory and the vividness of his youthful
perceptions. so long after recalled. Atthe close
of the Rebellion all this interest was intensified;
Tor the conversion of Mexico into an empire
seemed to Grant a sequence, or rather an Incl
dent of secession. and his concern did not abate
until the expulsion of the French and the re-
establishment of the republic.
Upon Grants assumption of the duties OF
President, Rawlins at first exercised great lntu-
ence with him, and all that influence was in
favor of an extension of territory St Domingo,
Cuba and the northern portion of Mexico-all,
Rawlns would have been glad to incorporate
into the Union 1t with view to the &C
QUESTION of large slice of territory on the
northern frontier Of Mexico that the mission to
that country was offered, in 1869, to General
Sckles. The acquisition was intended to be
peaceful by purchase, and with the entire con-
sent of the neighbor:ng State. for Grant would
have been the last man to unfairly appropriate
the domains of the friendly republic; ne had
49, of forr
In the days of the annexation of Texas and
his relations with the statesmen OF Mex
leo, as we'll as his regard for the interests
and honor of that country, were genuine. But
after deliberation it was deemed not advisable
to attempt the absorption of Mexican territory.
The administration concluded that there were
other and more pressing matters to be decided;
the reconstruction OF the Union ITSELF and the
'pacification of the South were still incomplete:
there was the condition of the emancipated race
to adjust, and to take other and foreign ele-
ments into the population at this crisis would
propound new problems and provoke additional
and inopportune difficulties So the Mexican
question as IL was presented to Grant in the
early days of his presidency. was allowed to
drop. and was not revived in the same form dur
ing his career.
But on his return from his European tour he
revisited Mexico. and again lively impression
was made upon him. 1t was at this time that
ideas of business relation with the sister repub-
lie were first preached to him. Every thing, how
ever, was in allegiance until the result OF the
Chicago convention of 1880 could be known.
Immediately after that event, and his own de-
feat, Grant visited Colorado, and from Manitou
Springs he wrote to me:
think will be in New York after my
return to Galena The probabilities that shall
make my home there But this is not entirely GER
TAIN l obliged to do something to supplement
portunties there. fortunately none Of my children
are q tax upon me. 1t they were, we would all have
to retire to the farm aud work that.
have been looking at the mines in New Mexico and
in this State and hatter myself that have obtained
something of insight into the resources of the
twothe State and Territory alarge insight in the
way mines are managed Without going into details
/ would not buy stock in any mine in the country
where the stock is thrown upon the market any moro
than would buy lottery tickets The mines pro-
ducing largely, but those quoted pay dividends to
the stockholders unless it is to put the price of
% Go. have magnificent mine, managed by a thor
oughly competent and honest man. 1t is so opened
that they will get out all there s in it in the most
economical manner and the dividends will be regular
subject yicsaitudes except strikes epidemics
earthquakes. go on Saturday to the Garrison, and
from there to the San Juan region. That visit over
1 will have seen large part of the mining region.
On the 18th of August he wrote to me again:
have been awayfrom here for ten days, visiting
parts OF Colorado had never seen before The trip
was very hard one though full of interest / am
satisfied this State has great destiny before it. The
new region that visited will show greater mineral
than all that has been discovered
sources. But will You in September, when
shall be in New York; and then l tell you more
determined whether 1 accept the presidency of the
mining company to which have been elected One
thing is certain, must do something to supplement
my income continue to live in Galena or farm.
have not got the means to live in a city. With kind
est regards of Mrs Grant Fred and Buck (the latter
has just left, am, as ever, yours truly
During this winter Grant turned his attention
almost exclusively to Mexican affairs. He soon
became president of a railway company whose
road ran south from the City of Mexico, and he
was also actively engaged in furthering the en-
terprise of connecting the two republics by rail.
In 1881 he went again to Mexico. and from
there, on the 7rh of May, he wrote to me: "My
business here progresses favorably. SO far as the
President and departments concerned
have heard nothing yet of any opposition in
Congress 1.-THE Mexican Legislature Before
this reaches you l will be on my way home"
find few passages in his letters after this
that illustrate his character, and show in what
matters he occupied On the 18th Of
March he wrote:
Dear Badeau: The story about my failure was al
pure ction invented with many lies in the
speculators and think great presumption to
Very truly yours.
On the 21st of July, 1882, he said to me-
I shall take no notice of Shepherd for the present
He stated truthfully in published interview that
had no interest in the Peruvian company, and neve
had. do not recognize the right of reporters ant
sensational writers to call upon me for explanation
whenever my name is mentioned.
In 1882 Grant was appointed. entirely withou
his own solicitation or expectation, a commits
ssioner to negotiate a commercial treaty witt
Mexico This was doubtless at the instance o
Mr. Frslinghuysen, who retained his persona
aud friendly relations with Grant afte
the ex-President had altogether broke
with Arthur. At the very tim
when Grants most urgent application
and recommendations in behalf OF political ad
herents or personal friends were rejected or ie
nored his own nomination was sent to the Senate
This a very adroit move on .he part of tn
government, for Grant was known to take kee
interest in our commercial relations with Mex
co. and he could hardly refuse the appointment